Microsoft’s plans for its next-generation Xbox have been revealed, and it appears the company is preparing its boldest hardware yet — a hybrid gaming machine designed to combine the power and flexibility of a PC with the simplicity and accessibility of a console.
According to a report from Windows Central, the upcoming Xbox will give players access to multiple digital storefronts, including Steam, allowing users to install and play a vast range of titles — even PlayStation exclusives like God of War and Ghost of Tsushima. This marks a historic shift in Microsoft’s gaming strategy, expanding the Xbox ecosystem beyond its own store and subscription services.
Xbox CEO Phil Spencer recently hinted that the new system will share design principles with the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X, suggesting that future Xbox consoles will operate more like gaming PCs while maintaining a familiar, console-style interface. Microsoft reportedly plans to refine the Xbox Full Screen Experience—first seen on the Ally—into a more streamlined, console-like platform that makes it easy to jump between games, storefronts, and services.
A “Premium” $1,000 Console Experience With Free Online Multiplayer
This ambitious redesign could come with a steep price tag. Reports indicate that the next Xbox will likely exceed $1,000, positioning it as a premium flagship console that delivers top-tier hardware performance and advanced features. Xbox President Sarah Bond described it as a “very premium, high-end curated experience.”
While the cost may shock some fans, Microsoft could offset the price by removing the paywall for online multiplayer, bringing console gaming in line with the PC experience — where online play has always been free.
Still, the decision to open the Xbox ecosystem to competing storefronts may impact Microsoft’s software and subscription revenue, as titles bought through Steam or Epic Games Store won’t directly benefit the company. Nevertheless, this move signals a long-term strategy shift toward hardware innovation and user freedom rather than platform exclusivity.
Despite rising prices — including multiple Xbox Series X price hikes and a 50% increase in Xbox Game Pass Ultimate costs — Microsoft remains confident that gamers will invest in its next-generation hardware.
The new Xbox is reportedly slated for a 2027 release, setting the stage for a new era of gaming that bridges the gap between PC performance and console convenience — a single platform where every game, from any store, can be played seamlessly.
